Samsung Galaxy S21 vs S21 Plus vs S21 Ultra: Which one to buy?
Recognition: David Imel / Android Authority
The brand new Samsung Galaxy S21 series consists of three phones: the S21, the S21 Plus and the S21 Ultra. All three offer a flagship experience, but there are a few differences between them that you need to be aware of. The Ultra is, of course, high on the list, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best for your wants and needs.
In this article, we’ll compare Samsung’s high-end devices in terms of specifications, features, and prices to help you decide which one is worth your hard-earned dollar. Let’s dive in!
Our first impressions: Samsung Galaxy S21 Series – Cheaper, But Are They Better?
Samsung Galaxy S21 versus S21 Plus versus S21 Ultra
Technical specifications
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| display | 6.2 inch Dynamic AMOLED Flat FHD + 2,400 x 1,080 at 421 ppi Adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz HDR10 + certified | 6.7 inch Dynamic AMOLED Flat FHD + 2,400 x 1,080 at 394 ppi Adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz HDR10 + certified | 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED Curved WQHD + 3,200 x 1,440 at 515 ppi Adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz HDR10 + certified |
| processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100 |
| R.A.M. | 8 GB | 8 GB | 12 or 16 GB |
| warehouse | 128 or 256 GB | 128 or 256 GB | 128, 256 or 512 GB |
| MicroSD | No | No | No |
| battery | 4,000 mAh Fast wired and wireless charging Reverse wireless charging | 4,800 mAh Fast wired and wireless charging Reverse wireless charging | 5,000mAh Fast wired and wireless charging Reverse wireless charging |
| Cameras | Back: – Wide angle: 12 MP, ƒ / 1.8, 1.8 µm with OIS and dual-pixel AF – Tele: 64 MP, ƒ / 2.0, 0.8 µm with OIS and phase detection AF – Ultra wide: 12 MP, ƒ / 2.2, 1.4 µm with 120 degree FoV 3x hybrid optical / digital zoom Front: | Back: – Wide angle: 12 MP, ƒ / 1.8, 1.8 µm with OIS and dual-pixel AF – Tele: 64 MP, ƒ / 2.0, 0.8 µm with OIS and phase detection AF – Ultra wide: 12 MP, ƒ / 2.2, 1.4 µm with 120 degree FoV 3x hybrid optical / digital zoom Front: | Back: – Wide angle: 108 MP, ƒ / 1.8, 0.8 µm with OIS and phase detection AF – Tele: 10 MP, ƒ / 2.4, 1.22 µm with OIS, dual-pixel AF and 3x optical zoom – Tele: 10 MP, ƒ / 4.9, 1.22 µm with OIS, dual-pixel AF and 10x optical zoom – Ultra wide: 12 MP, ƒ / 2.2, 1.4 µm with dual-pixel AF and 120-degree FoV – Laser AF sensor 10x optical zoom Front: |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE support 5 G (below 6 GHz, SA and NSA, mmWave) Wi-Fi 6E support | 4G LTE support 5 G (below 6 GHz, SA and NSA, mmWave) Wi-Fi 6E support | 4G LTE support 5 G (below 6 GHz, SA and NSA, mmWave) Wi-Fi 6E support |
| S pen support | No | No | Yes |
| operating system | A user interface 3.1 Android 11 | A user interface 3.1 Android 11 | A user interface 3.1 Android 11 |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| security | Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, face unlock | Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, face unlock | Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, face unlock |
| colour | 128 GB in phantom violet, phantom gray, phantom pink and phantom white 256 GB in Phantom Gray only Future colors: Phantom Gold and Phantom Red | 128 GB in Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver and Phantom Black 256 GB only in Phantom Black Future colors: Phantom Gold and Phantom Red | 128 GB in Phantom Silver and Phantom Black 256 and 512 GB in phantom black Future colors: Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy and Phantom Brown |
| Dimensions and weight | 71.2 x 151.7 x 7.9 mm 171 g | 75.6 x 161.5 x 7.8 mm 202 g | 75.6 x 165.1 x 8.9 mm 229 g |
design
The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus look more or less identical. Both have a flat display with a centered hole that houses the front-facing camera. Both also have a housing that Samsung calls the “Contour Cut Camera” on the back and that fits into the metal frame of the device. It’s an interesting design choice that adds a bit of contrast to the overall look, though not everyone will love it.
The three main differences between the S21 and S21 Plus are size, material and color options. The S21 Plus has a larger space requirement due to its larger display, which can be either good or bad, depending on your needs. It also has a glass back, while the S21 is made of glass, which is Samsung’s fancy word for plastic that feels like glass. It’s obviously not as high quality as real glass, but the advantage is that it won’t shatter if you accidentally drop your phone on a hard surface.
Connected: The best Samsung phones
In terms of colors, the S21 is available in phantom purple, phantom gray, phantom pink and phantom white while its bigger brother is available in phantom purple, phantom silver and phantom black. Samsung will also offer Phantom Gold and Phantom Red color options through its website.
The largest of the three models, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is similar to its smaller brothers, but has two design elements that give it a distinctive look. The first concerns the Contour Cut Camera case on the back, which is roughly twice the size of that of the S21 and S21 Plus. This is because the Ultra has more camera sensors which take up more space. Like its direct predecessor, the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the display is curved to the side. The phone is available in the colors Phantom Silver and Phantom Black. However, Samsung will also sell the device in Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy and Phantom Brown in certain markets through its online store.
characteristics
Recognition: David Imel / Android Authority
The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus run on the Snapdragon 888 chipset (or the Exynos 2100 in select global markets), have 8 GB of RAM, and have 128 or 256 GB of storage. There are three cameras on the back of each phone – a 12MP main sensor, a 64MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP wide-angle shooter. You also get IP68 rating, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, 5G support, and wireless and reverse wireless charging. Unfortunately there is no headphone jack or microSD card slot on board. There is also no power brick in the box.
The differences between the two phones start with the display. The S21 has a 6.2-inch AMOLED Full HD + screen, while the Plus model has a larger 6.7-inch panel with the same resolution. The battery sizes are also different: the smaller model has a 4,000 mAh cell, while the battery of the S21 Plus has a capacity of 4,800 mAh. Obviously, the S21 Plus also has a larger footprint.
The S21 Ultra is a big step forward over the Galaxy S21 Plus.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra brings new standards as it offers significantly more than its smaller brothers. It has the largest display with 6.8 inches and the highest resolution with WQHD + quality. It also has most of the cameras, four of them on the back alongside a laser autofocus system. The main sensor has a resolution of 12 MP, while the ultra-wide shooter offers a resolution of 108 MP. There are also two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom on board.
The camera system also supports the 100x room zoom as opposed to the 30x room zoom that you get with the other two S21 telephones. Then there is the 40MP selfie shooter, which captures more details than the S21’s 10MP front camera.
Also: Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are Samsung’s most durable ANC earbuds yet
You also get more RAM with the Ultra. The base model has 12 GB. There’s a 16GB variant too, though that’s overkill in 2021. The handset has up to 512GB of storage, although 128GB and 256GB variants are also available.
The last thing to mention is that the S21 Ultra is the only one of the three new Galaxy phones that supports the S Pen. The bad news is that it isn’t included and there isn’t even a slot in the phone to plug it into – like the Note series.
The remaining technical data and functions of the S21 Ultra are the same as those of the other two telephones. This means that the phone is operated with the same chipset, supports wireless charging and, among other things, has protection class IP68.
price
Recognition: David Imel / Android Authority
- Samsung Galaxy S21: $ 799 / € 849 / £ 769
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus: $ 999 / € 1,049 / £ 949
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: 1,199 USD / 1,249 EUR / 1,149 GBP
The entry-level Galaxy S21 brings you back $ 799. If you want to take advantage of the S21 Plus’ bigger screen and battery, you’ll need to spend at least $ 999. If you want the crème de la crème, you have to get the S21 Ultra, which starts at 1,199 US dollars.
As a reference, last year’s Galaxy S20 series was more expensive at launch. The S20 was priced at $ 999 while the Plus model was priced at $ 1,199. The S20 Ultra was even more expensive with a staggering starting price of $ 1,399.
The Galaxy S21 series will go on sale on January 29th. Pre-orders start today, January 14th. Anyone who pre-orders one of the three devices in the USA will receive a free Galaxy SmartTag. Samsung is also giving away $ 100, $ 150, and $ 150 in credits to those who pick up an S21, S21 Plus, or S21 Ultra by Jan. 28. The credit can be used on Samsung.com or in the Shop Samsung app.
Samsung Galaxy S21 versus S21 Plus versus S21 Ultra: which phone is right for you?
Recognition: David Imel / Android Authority
Deciding between the Galaxy S21 or the S21 Plus is pretty easy as the two phones are very similar. If you are on a budget then don’t mind the Glasstic back and want a phone that is small enough to be used with one hand and easier to put in your pocket. The S21 is for you. However, if you play a lot of games or watch a lot of videos, you may be better off with the S21 Plus’ larger display and battery – if you’re willing to pay the extra $ 200 for it.
For most people, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is likely over the top.
Then there’s the S21 Ultra, which is quite an upgrade over the other two S21 models. The phone has a slightly larger display than the S21 Plus and has the highest resolution, the largest battery, better cameras, more basic RAM, 512 GB of storage and supports the S Pen. If all or just one of these things is important to you and Worth the extra $ 200 over the S21 Plus or the extra $ 400 over the standard S21, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is more than a match for the best Android phones out there. For most people, however, it is likely an exaggeration.
Load surveyWhich of the three phones do you think has the edge in the battle between the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus and S21 Ultra? Let us know in the comments!
